Ship of Magic (The Liveship Traders, Book 1)

Ship of Magic is the first book in Robin Hobb’s Liveship Traders trilogy, set in the same world as her Farseer Trilogy. The novel introduces readers to a rich and vibrant world where magic, intrigue, and powerful ships intertwine. The story is set in the vibrant and bustling port city of Bingtown, where the merchant families have long relied on their unique, living ships—known as Liveships—that are bonded with magic and capable of sentience.

The plot centers on the Vestrit family, whose Liveship, the Vivacia, has been passed down through generations. When the ship’s bond with the family is triggered by the death of the family patriarch, the liveship begins to awaken, and the ship’s consciousness becomes an integral part of the family’s fate. As the Vestrits navigate political intrigue, treacherous seas, and their own personal conflicts, they must also contend with the dark and dangerous forces that seek to control the Liveships and the power they hold.